CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 Assistant Regional Director Almer Masillones unveiled on Tuesday, September 17, a series of programs that strengthen food security of the country and empower micro, small, and medium, enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt green practices.
Officials presented these at the Mindanao Agri-Coop Expo 2024, held at Mallberry Suites Business Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.
Masillones highlighted the role of MSMEs in driving sustainable economic growth, in line with the expo’s theme of “Strengthening Cooperative Resilience: Advancing Climate Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Farming Management.”
The programs outlined include the Green Economic Development Program, Kapatid Mentor ME, Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, Shared Service Facilities, Industry Cluster Enhancement, Regional Inclusive Innovation Centers, Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, One Town-One Product, Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth, e-commerce, and export initiatives, including Halal.
One of the key initiatives presented is the Three-Year Food Logistics Action Agenda. It aims to revolutionize the country’s food distribution system from farm to fork, reduce the cost of transport and logistics cost, invest in logistics infrastructure, address supply chain gaps, heighten enforcement measures, and improve logistics performance through ICT.
“This Action Agenda seeks to guarantee available, accessible, and affordable food and ensure that consumers get the right product at the right time at the right place in a reliable manner.” OIC-ARD Masillones said.
CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative organized the Mindanao Agri-Coop Expo 2024, which brought together farmers and cooperative members from across the region. (DTI-10/PIA-10)
